Stellantis commits to making midsize pickup in Belvidere, but questions remain for local workers

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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BELVIDERE — Stellantis still plans to build a new midsize pickup in Belvidere, returning 1,500 autoworkers to their jobs, according to an email from company leadership to employees.

The plan was shared in an email Wednesday from Antonio Filosa, chief operating officer for Stellantis North America. In a separate message shared by the United Auto Workers to its members, it said the plan is for the truck to begin production in Belvidere in 2027 as initially laid out in the 2023 labor agreement.

It’s unclear now what will happen with plans for a Mopar Mega Hub or an electric vehicle battery plant. Neither of those previously discussed projects were outlined in the email, and on Monday President Donald Trump signed an executive order to end what he called “the electric vehicle mandate.” UAW Local 1268 President Matt Frantzen told members in an email that they were still awaiting answers to those questions and would share information as soon as possible.

Right now, Frantzen said they only know that Stellantis remains committed to the originally promised plan for a midsize truck being produced in Belvidere.

“We’re in a wait and see. We’re excited, but we’ve been here before,” Frantzen said in a phone interview with the Rock River Current. “Time will tell if it’s actually going to come through. I have a good feeling it will, but that’s me personally. …

“Until we see a timeline, blueprints, what they’re looking at and actually see movement in the plant, I don’t think I’m going to be at ease. I don’t think membership is going to be at ease.”

The email from Filosa says that Stellantis Chairman John Elkann met with President Trump before the inauguration to discuss plans to invest in U.S. operations and grow auto production here.

The email laid out four initiatives:

• A new midsize pickup truck will be produced in Belvidere, returning approximately 1,500 UAW-represented employees to work.
• Stellantis will move forward with plans to build the next generation Dodge Durango at its Detroit Assembly Complex.
• Stellantis will invest in Toledo, including additional technologies for Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator at its Toledo Assembly Complex and more components critical to its Toledo Machining Plant.
• Stellantis plans to invest in its Kokomo, Indiana, facilities to produce the GMET4 EVO engine.

“Our plans, focused on increasing market share and growing sales volume, entail a multibillion-dollar investment in our people, great products, and innovative technology, all here in the U.S.,” Filosa said in the email. “These actions are part of our commitment to invest in our U.S. operations to grow our auto production and manufacturing here.”

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The UAW reached an agreement with Stellantis in late 2023 that outlined wage increases and agreements to restart operations in Belvidere. That plan initially called for a $5 billion investment that included reopening the Belvidere Assembly Plant as a parts distribution center, starting production of a new midsized pickup in 2027 and building a new electric vehicle battery plant in 2028.

“Right now I’ve got two pieces of paper: One from the international and one from corporate saying we’re going to build the truck in Belvidere,” Frantzen said. “I had that before. I’m not discounting the work that either side has done or so many members have done, it’s just let’s get after it now. Let’s get things moving.”

Local officials and state lawmakers are celebrating the news, saying it was part of a collaborative effort to allow for Stellantis to keep its commitment to Belvidere. Many of the incentives state lawmakers provided were dependent on electric vehicles or EV battery production, which is uncertain to move forward. The Region 1 Planning Council also helped secure land through its regional land bank adjacent to the plant to allow for future expansion.

“Today’s announcement is possible thanks to a lot of behind-the-scenes effort,” said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, who is chairman of the Northern Illinois Council of Governments. “NorthCOG has worked with Gov. JB Pritzker and his team, our state representatives and senators, and with Sen. Dick Durbin’s office to advocate for this project, which is a tremendous economic development win for the region. We all have worked hard to support Belvidere, because families across our region will benefit from this new investment.”

Belvidere Mayor Clint Morris says he and other officials around the region have tirelessly advocated for the plant’s workers.

“Today is a great day for Belvidere, for the employees of the Belvidere Assembly Plant, and for our region,” Morris said. “I want to thank U.S. Rep Bill Foster and state Rep. Dave Vella, who were unwavering in their support to secure the funding and resources for this to happen. I also want to thank UAW leadership, the Pritzker administration, the Trump administration, and NorthCOG for making this happen.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas